Masthead graphic

Space Projects

Hubble Space Telescope Spitzer Space Telescope JWST

 

NICMOS

NICMOS AssemblyThe Near Infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer (NICMOS) provides imaging and spectroscopy on the Hubble Space Telescope over the wavelength range 0.8 to 2.5 microns. NICMOS was installed onboard the HST during the second Servicing Mission (SM2) in February 1997 and operated until cryogen depletion in 1999. In 2002 an external cryocooler was installed during the third Servicing Mission, restoring NICMOS observations. NICMOS was developed under the leadership of Principal Investigator Professor Rodger Thompson. Learn more.

MIPS


MIPS Instrument

The Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) is the far-infrared instrument for the Spitzer Space Telescope. Launched in 2003, MIPS provides imaging capabilities at 24, 70, and 160 microns as well as low resolution spectral energy distributions between 50 and 100 microns. Of note was the development of the first large format far infrared arrays at Steward Observatory. The MIPS team was led by Principal Investigator Professor George Rieke. Learn more.

NIRCam

 

NIRCam

NIRCam is the near infrared camera for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to be launched in 2013. JWST is an infrared-optimized 6.5-m cryogenic telescope that will have unprecedented sensitivity in the near and mid-infrared ( 1 - 28 microns). The Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), provided by the University of Arizona is an imager with a large field of view and high angular resolution. The NIRCam covers a wavelength range of 0.6 to 5 micrometers and has ten mercury-cadmium-telluride (HgCdTe) detector arrays. The NIRCam is being built by a team led by the University of Arizona, with Principal Investigator Professor Marcia Rieke. Learn More.

MIRI

MIRIThe Mid InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) will provide the JWST with imaging and spectroscopy at wavelengths from 5 through 27 microns. The project is an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, a consortium of European partners, and an international science team. The science team is led by Professor George Rieke. Learn more.